Fowler was asked to start on the pine due to coach Ian Ferguson's decision to employ a 4-1-4-1 formation for the encounter with strong tall forward Dyron Daal holding the fort up front.

But Ferguson later revealed Fowler didn't warm to the relegation and opted to sit in the stands instead.

The legendary Liverpool striker has been a shining light for the fledgling team with nine goals this season.

But it now remains to be seen whether he will remain with North Queensland beyond this season.

"We went down the line of changing the formation to 4-1-4-1 and we needed a big striker up there to try and run into the corners," Ferguson said.

"(I) just felt in the last couple of games Robbie was a little jaded."

"I thought about putting him on the bench and Robbie did not want to be on the bench, (it's) as simple as that."

Ferguson revealed he aimed to clear the air with Fowler about the disagreement and insisted the 34-year-old was still a required player for the Fury.

"We will sit down and have a chat - you don't get too many Robbie Fowlers on your doorstep," Ferguson said.

"I don't want Robbie Fowler out the door."

North Queensland will next be in action when they hosts Newcastle Jets in a must-win clash on Saturday night.